JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016 VOL. XXXV I I I N O. 3

Inside This Issue Consciousness Consciousness Page One he Cosmic Magnet is the Cosmic Heart, or earthly thoughts stream the currents of the the consciousness of the Crown of the Cos- sun’s wisdom, and in these regions begins the Networkers Letter mic Intelligence—the Hierarchy of Light. great preordained Teaching. We summon to Page Two TPrecisely, the Cosmic Magnet is the bond with the the encompassment of the Universe. But only The Realm of higher worlds in the order of Be-ness. The bond of the instrument of consciousness will permit Beauty our heart with the Heart and Consciousness of the the new experiments of the blending of spirit Page Three Highest Hierarch of our planet leads us into the and matter. majestic current of the Cosmic Magnet. Frances Grant: A Karma cannot complicate a harmonious Life Dedicated to – Letters of , Vol. I, 6 December body. Therefore, the path of ascent is of prac- the Roerich Pact 1934 tical benefit. Page Four

Leaves of Morya’s Garden, Supermundane: The Inner Our Changing Book Two, Illumination, “Consciousness is Life, Book One, 1938 World 1925. Page Ten akin to the spirit Supermundane I, 11. Illumination, II:II:9. Urusvati would like to Contemplate memory and understanding; provide more knowl- consciousness. edge to people, but Welcome it grows until straight-knowledge indi- Since memory is for cates to her the limits For discussions the past, consciousness is one’s whole being of what is possible. The and posts on the for the future. Therefore discovery of these limits We replace memory by is engulfed as in is a stumbling block for consciousness. By means many, and great misfor- Teachings, of memory I cannot pen- a flame.” tune results from over- please visit our etrate within the bound- looking them. It is impos- aries of the sun, but con- sible to indicate in earthly “Agni Yoga – sciousness opens the gates. For Us, the museum terms the hidden, co-measured boundary, but Living Ethics and library replace the memory; therefore, a broadened consciousness can suggest where disciples should not grieve over the loss of the the possibility of harm begins. You yourself Community” site old memory. It is simply that a small thing is know how often people demand an answer on Facebook: replaced by a great one. Consciousness is akin that they then cannot accept. They say, “Tell https://www.face- to the spirit understanding; it grows until one’s us quickly, and we will decide what to accept whole being is engulfed as in a flame. During and what to reject.” They like to play jackstraws, book.com/groups/ this process the chips of memory, like dross, pulling out only that which is most attractive Agni.Yoga.Living. impede the burning. To know does not mean to to them. They do not care if it all falls to Ethics.Community remember. He who attains hastens on without pieces, although even children know that the looking back. Humanity must remember the whole should not be disrupted. Grown-ups and WMEA on transmutation of consciousness. throw bombs and are astonished when they the Web: are maimed by them. They love to repeat Our Wherein lies the strength of Our exper- http://www.wmea- iments? In the solar consciousness, being analogy of a boomerang but do not see the world.org poured out as prana. Above the stratum of consequences of their own blows. 2 Agni Yoga Quarterly / International

NETWORKERS LETTER Dearest Friends, f this is the first time you have Community opened our new Agni Yoga Quar- “Begin to build the community as a Iterly/International publication, home of knowledge and beauty.” formerly called Meditation Monthly – New Era Community, verse 229 International, let me give you a warm welcome to our readership. Agni Yoga Rev. Joleen D. DuBois Quarterly/International is a quarterly journal that is focused on the Agni the years of 1958–1960. This is an thought of higher and lower, better Yoga Teachings. There are several article I located in the archives of and lesser elements so often found articles in each issue, starting with the Museum with in the personalities of people, find- the Networkers Letter, then the key- the cooperation of Nataliya Fomin, ing those who have moved toward note article, and articles within each the archive manager of the museum. a more sharing spirit so we can all section of “Thoughts on Agni Yoga” Also, the cover article, on the sub- benefit and all gain insight from our and “The Realm of Beauty,” as well ject of Consciousness, was compiled search for Truth. I believe this issue as a cover page article. from the Teachings of Agni Yoga. and upcoming issues of Agni Yoga This issue of AYQ is the result of a Quarterly represent just that: the Let me spend the rest of this letter spirit of cooperation. cooperative endeavor from several on the subject of cooperation, a sub- sources: The keynote article on Fran- ject dear to the hearts of many of us, “People have distorted the meaning ces Grant by A. Tulskaya, treasurer as networkers. The Teacher says of of the word ‘harmony.’ Into this con- of the , is cooperation: “I wish to see coopera- cept there has been inserted some- a beautiful and educational article tion not on paper and in assurances, thing clerical, a fold of the chiton, that brings to life the origins of the but in action. It is right not to speak the immortelle of non-existent love, Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace, about love but to show it in action. and even a knotted stocking. It were and includes portions of the life of It is correct to abolish assurances better, without any harps, to replace Frances Grant, an original member of devotion, for it is manifested in this withered concept with a more of the Agni Yoga Society and vice action. It is correct not to utter super- energetic one: let us say ‘sensitive- president of the Nicholas Roerich fluous words, as they are needed in ness of cooperation.’ Without it the museum. The article in the section action….”1 Community cannot exist. Violation on “Thoughts on Agni Yoga,” titled of it provokes resentment; resent- The Changing World, was written It has long been a vision to find ment begets dullness and stupid- by Joseph J. Weed. Mr. Weed was collaborators who would be willing ity.’”2 a trustee of the Nicholas Roerich to share their understanding, expe- Museum and a director of the Agni rience, and wisdom of the Teach- “We are dissipating superstition, Yoga Society in its early years. It was ing in our publications alongside ignorance and fear. We are forging customary for Mr. Weed to prepare the Teaching to make the Master’s courage, will and knowledge. Every talks for the group meetings during Words come “alive”—to remove the striving toward enlightenment is Continued on page 11

Agni Yoga Quarterly/International Copyright 1982–2016 Vol. XXXVIII No. 3 White Mountain Education White Mountain AYQI can be found on the Internet Association – All rights reserved. Education World Wide Web Address: Any reproduction in whole or in http://www.wmea-world.org part without written permission is Association Email: [email protected] prohibited. Agni Yoga Quarterly / International 3

O Changeless One

Take me to the Sun and let the Fire of The Realm of Beauty His Rays Burn these chains that tie me to the old “Through Beauty we conquer.” N. Roerich ways of the past, Let me be born again amid the ashes of We invite our readers to submit their poems, the old forms, photos, short essays for this section. Let the Fire of Space nurture my infant soul. You do not spare any sacrifice, being. Let me fuse with you, O Changeless That can bring enlightenment You are the Initiator and Mediator One, To the soul of man. Between the Mother of the World, Be my eyes, my love, my light and my Your Messengers showed and show Shambhala, the Christ and Humanity. will, Us the Path to You Your Champion is Sanat Kumara. For without you I remain blind to the With each new revelation. Thank you my Lord, forces of Chaos that seek to destroy the Spark The Buddha was the Messenger Let our souls be uplifted in me. of your Light. And fused in your Self. I renounce darkness, and surrender to Christ was ensouled by your Love, May humanity recognize and know You, Now the Christ will be ensouled You My Soul, My Self, My Life! by your Power. through your Messengers of Light! – Saskia Frau You are the Ancient of Days, Sept. 9, 2009 You are the Melchizedec, – Saskia Frau © 2016 White Mountain Education Association, Inc. The Great Sacrifice, Sept. 9, 2009 In Whom we move, live and have our © 2016 White Mountain Education Association, Inc.

One of the names of Krishna, symbolized as the Self, is The Incommensurable One. The Incommensurable One

O Incommensurable One, No one can compare to You, my Lord. You are Love, Light and Will that manifests in all things, and humanity grows in your Beauty, Your Joy, And your Truth. Krishna (Spring in Kulu Valley) by Nicholas Roerich, 1930 4 Agni Yoga Quarterly / International

by A. Tulskaya Where there is Peace, there is Culture. Where there is Culture, there is Peace. The Teachings — Nicholas Roerich Frances Grant: here are two opposite tendencies A Life Dedicated inherent in human nature. One is to either conquer and take over to the Roerich Pact Tthat which is thought to be valuable or to destroy it if it is seen as a danger. The as Olympus, Delos, Delphi, Dodona, “The conquering country has a duty to other tendency is based on the general was forbidden. Inside their walls, all preserve all sites which are the pride of need to create and preserve beauty and military actions were also forbidden, humankind and do not serve the ene- culture and to strive for knowledge. and conquered enemies could find my’s strengthening. Temples, cemeter- asylum there. That is where the tradi- ies, civil edifices, and other works of art, So far, the entire human history is, in tion of asylum originates. In the same known for their beauty—where would its essence, the history of an endless way, mediaeval European churches and be the advantage of their destruc- battle between destruction and cre- monasteries were not to be deliberately tion? Only an enemy of humankind ation—the battle for consciousness, for destroyed. And the Agni Purana of can thoughtlessly deprive humanity of the objective understanding and mem- ancient India calls the armies at war not these monuments of art, of these exam- ory of history. A destructive conscious- to destroy temples. ples of art mastery.” ness leads to destructive actions, to wars, to lies; creative mentality leads to The famous philosopher and military These two men, Rousseau and de Vat- peace, creativity, and to the evolution- commander of ancient China, Sun tel, were the first to introduce into our ary development of humankind as the Tzu (sixth century BC), the author of system of thinking the clear concept bearer of one common human culture. the treaty called The Art of War, which of the difference between military and is still studied in the military acade- civil, peaceful objects; of the difference Historians, philosophers, geniuses of mies of many countries, nevertheless between armies at war and a peaceful, art and science have always understood stated as one of the main principles of civil population; and the concept of the this, and their ultimate common goals conducting a war on foreign territory: protection of the civil population and have been the creation and preservation “Culture prevails, military follows.” of sites that serve religion, education, of beauty and knowledge and assisting arts, and healthcare. others in their spiritual growth. They Sadly, these ancient traditions were saw enlightenment as the most import- not always accepted in relation to Since the end of the nineteenth cen- ant means against destructive conquest. “alien” cultures and religions—only tury, this principle of protecting culture within the boundaries of one’s own begins to find expression in various Acts of destruction of the “enemy’s” mega-culture. It is enough to remem- international treaties and conventions, monuments, religious sites, objects of ber huge destructions during the Cru- for example, in the Brussels Declara- art, and works of literature, more often sades. It is much later, beginning with tions of 1899 and 1907, in the Roerich than not, happen on purpose, with the Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778), Pact of 1935, and in The Hague Con- aim to eradicate the “enemy’s” history, that there appears the idea of the pro- vention of 1954. culture, and beliefs, to purge the traces tection of historical treasures of any of their presence and sometimes even country as panhuman treasures. Rous- The Hague Convention of 1954, on the very fact of the “enemy’s” existence. seau’s contemporary, the Swiss inter- the protection of objects of art and cul- ture from vandalism and destruction in But still, our history has its examples national lawyer and philosopher, Emer de Vattel (1714–1767), the author of a times of war as well as of peace, is based of preservation of cultural treasures. on the three previous pacts of the same In the city-states of Ancient Greece, classic treaty, The Law of Nations, thus formulated this principle: nature: The Hague Conventions of 1899 any destruction of holy places, such and 1907, and on the Roerich Pact and Agni Yoga Quarterly / International 5

Banner of Peace that was signed on Tsar Nicholas II the idea of a pact for the of Russia. Once again, his plan was met April 15, 1935, by the and preservation of culture. Before going to with approval, but again a war became twenty Latin American countries. the Tsar, Roerich offered this idea to the an obstacle—this time, . St. Petersburg Society of Architects and Even as early as 1923, before the begin- Artists. He called their attention to the Nevertheless, Roerich did not abandon ning of the Central-Asian expedition, most deplorable conditions of many of his idea. The opportunity to continue his Roerich was actively promoting the the old architectural structures in Russia. labors for culture appeared soon after necessity of registration and maintain- the Roerich family moved to the United ance of the constantly renewed list of States. To this peaceful country that art collections in the United States and had never known any wars, except the their owners. This request in a broader Civil War of 1861–1865, rushed a huge form was stated in the Pact as a neces- stream of refugees from Europe. Among sity of compiling a catalogue of all the the refugees were many artists, writers, world’s treasures, thus preserving this and artistic intelligentsia who helped to knowledge for all future generations. boost the cultural potential of America.

What makes the Roerich Pact different Almost immediately upon the from other similar pacts? First of all, its Roerichs’ arrival in New York and the supranational level, the simplicity and beginning of the exhibitions of his paint- universality of its expression, and its ings in the United States, a group of fol- concrete, practical nature. It presents lowers and supporters, who enthusiasti- Culture as a circle that embraces and cally accepted his cultural and spiritual unites all people, all nations, with “the ideas, was formed around the Roerichs. three whales” of common civilization They established the Master Institute of on which it rests—these being Art, Sci- United Arts, which was a realization of ence, and Religion (Philosophy). On this another dream of Nicholas Roerich’s— foundation Culture stands, and, in its the dream of uniting all arts and crafts turn, it preserves the foundation itself; under one roof, which would give peo- and through these three main elements, ple from various fields of art the oppor- it develops. tunity for mutual creative exchange and enrichment. Humanity can achieve a calm and peaceful existence only through a self- One of the very first Roerich support- less, generous, and wise attitude to cul- Madonna Oriflamma ers in America was a young journalist, by Nicholas Roerich, 1932 ture as common, without dividing it Frances Ruth Grant. Without her, such into “my own” vs. “their.” But how dif- a powerful development and the success ficult it is for people to rid themselves During his travels to and architectural of the Roerich Pact would hardly have from the ancient instinct of appropria- digs on the sites of ancient monasteries been possible. Her meeting the Roerichs tion or destruction of everything “alien,” and cities, all of them connected with turned out to be fateful for her. Gen- “strange,” “dangerous,” “primitive”! the oldest Russian traditions, Roerich erally, being close to the Roerichs and had witnessed tragic and irreversible working with them changed the lives Nicholas Roerich was one of the most destructions due to human ignorance, and fates of many people. prominent toilers for beauty, culture, and lightmindedness, and neglect. wisdom. For this mission he was born; Frances Grant was born on November this was his lifelong dream, the moving Roerich’s project was met with approval, 18, 1896, in Abiquiú, a small pueblo in force of his entire life. Acute pain for the but the war of 1904–1905 put a stop to it. New Mexico, in the American South- destruction of libraries, museums, tem- west, and she died on July 21, 1993, ples, ancient memorial sites had always Later, in 1914, after the destructions of in New York. Her life was a long and lived in his heart. the famous library in Louvain and the unusual one. magnificent Reims Cathedral, Roerich Back in 1904, he attempted to present to took the same idea to Grand Duke Peter The family to which Frances was born 6 Agni Yoga Quarterly / International

was extraordinary, too. Her father, the Native American Southwest, with collection of paintings for the tour of Henry Grant, immigrated to the United its blend of knowledge, memories, exhibitions around America. Frances’s States from Eastern Europe. His musi- and traditions of local Indians and of assignment was to interview the artist cal talent was considerable, and in the descendants of Spanish conquis- for publication in her magazine. his youth he dreamed of becoming a tadors.She was attracted to the myste- singer; but the sense of responsibility rious Campo Santo on the hill, to the Thus happened the meeting that for the family prompted him to follow Great Black Mesa, and to the tales and changed her entire life and defined her his two older brothers to the American legends preserved in the memories of future. The Roerichs’ ideas of the role “Wild West.” In spite of his total lack of the generations and told around night of art, culture, and beauty in human business inclinations, he became a suc- campfires. life and history were so close to and in cessful merchant. The Grant brothers such harmony with Frances’s own spirit were among the first Jewish merchants The first priority for Sara and Henry that Frances immediately and without to follow the pioneers, organizing trad- was their children’s education, and they a shadow of a doubt became one of the ing posts, shops, and small businesses. had to establish a second home, this very first and most active coworkers of In New Mexico there is still a Grant one in New York. Under their mother’s the Roerichs. supervision, the children went to the Road, named so for the Grant family. She gave up her plan to move to as a foreign correspondent, preferring to In the 1890s, Henry married Sara, a “It was in November of young, beautiful, and perfectly educated work with the Roerichs. As soon as the girl from New York. Sara, like Henry, 1920 that Frances Grant, a School (later Institute) of United Arts was part of the Jewish emigration from young correspondent for the was established, she became its executive Eastern Europe. Sara moved to Abiquiú, magazine Musical America, director. In 1929, she accepted the posi- tion of director of the publishing depart- and before long the Grants had four was assigned to meet a ship children: two sons and two daughters. ment of the Roerich Museum (Roerich Sara and Henry observed Jewish tradi- on which arrived the well- Museum Press). She also was in charge tions, but, having open minds and kind known Russian artist Nich- of the New Syndicate. The purpose of the latter was to provide the information hearts, they lived as good friends with olas Roerich, his family, and their Native-American, as well as Cath- necessary for the functioning of the other olic, neighbors. Their house was always his collection of paintings cultural organizations created by Nich- open to all residents of the pueblo as well for the tour of exhibitions olas Roerich. Frances published books, as to travelers. around America.” booklets, programs of activities; she delivered lectures and radio talks on phi- The Grant family participated in all losophy and music; she wrote articles and local celebrations. Sara became a “med- best schools and colleges. Her father conducted meetings with many cultural icine woman.” She kept mail-ordering stayed in New Mexico, providing for figures, with the activists of the women’s all kinds of medications from New York the family and sometimes visiting them movement, and with members of wom- and also studied and applied the means in New York. The family spent every en’s clubs. She was extremely active in of folk medicine. Once, when an epi- summer in Abiquiú. Frances gradu- promoting Latin-American culture and demic of smallpox hit Abiquiú, she sin- ated from the elite Barnard College for studying the Spanish language in New glehandedly vaccinated the entire local women and later from the Columbia York. population. University School of Journalism. In Near the end of the 1920s, Nicholas So it is no wonder that Frances and addition, she was professionally edu- Roerich sent her on a prolonged trip to her sister and brothers, being brought cated in music. Latin American countries. Her task was up in a multicultural, multilingual, It was in November of 1920 that to organize exhibitions of his paintings multiconfessional environment, which Frances Grant, a young correspondent there and to make the preliminary prepa- was totally natural for them, absorbed for the magazine Musical America, rations for the promotion of the Roerich the atmosphere of Hispano-American was assigned to meet a ship on which Pact and Banner of Peace. The first such culture. Spanish was a native language arrived the well-known Russian artist trip to the South American republics took for Frances. All of her life she loved Nicholas Roerich, his family, and his place in 1929; the second one, in 1930. Agni Yoga Quarterly / International 7

And here it is necessary to clarify contacts with museums, educational Following her first trip of 1929 to the some peculiarities of the relationships organizations, and libraries. According Latin American countries, Frances at that time between the United States to the newspapers, Frances was given Grant dedicated a significant part of her and the countries of Central and South this mission by Nicholas Roerich, with energy and time to the development of America, and also look at the role of the whom she had recently visited in India. culture, education, and democracy in Pan-American Union. Politically, the this region. She lectured in practically moment was the best and timeliest for This was the beginning of the Peace all the main universities in the United promotion of The Pact. through Culture movement, the move- States and the South American repub- ment for the Roerich Pact and Banner of lics; she was the first one to establish a The term “Pan-Americanism” was first Peace. cultural exchange between the United coined in 1882 as an expression of the States and the Latin American coun- idea of a common and The Pan-American Union was the secretariat of the Union of Ameri- tries, organizing art exhibitions, musical history of the population of the West- programs, and open forums. Frances ern Hemisphere. The first Pan-Amer- can Republics, which was operated first from the US Department of State knew the importance of spreading the ican conference took place in 1889 in Spanish language in the United States, the United States, but the attitude of and assisted in its study and popularity Southern neighbors to Pan-American- “She was the first one through her work with schools, uni- ism under United States leadership was versities, women’s organizations, and a very skeptical one. The thirty years of to establish a cultural through her publications and radio talks. United States military intervention and occupation of and the exchange between the In 1930 she founded the Pan-American Caribbean following the Spanish-Amer- United States and the Women’s Association (PAWA), under ican war of 1898 were still remembered. Latin American the umbrella of the Roerich Museum; and after the loss of the museum, she This attitude of distrust began chang- countries, organizing continued running PAWA as a sepa- ing in 1929. At the beginning of 1929, art exhibitions, musical rate association. She ran PAWA until the new American President, Herbert her death in 1993. During the Roerich Hoover, went on a ten-week-long voy- programs, and open Museum time, all of Frances’s work was age to visit the ten most important forums.” done in continuous contact with and countries of Latin America. It was a under the guidance of Nicholas Roerich. “goodwill” tour, offering political and Their correspondence never stopped, economic partnership with the United and the personal meetings and discus- States’s hemispheric neighbors. In a and later from the new Pan-American sions of work with Nicholas Roerich region long used to the arrogance of Union building on Constitution Avenue and his son George during their visits to the United States and their habitual in Washington, D.C. The Pan-American America in 1929 and 1934 were of espe- intrusion into the inner life of its neigh- Union was presented as an international cial importance. bors, President Hoover began talking organization of twenty-one republics about mutual respect and equality of of the Western hemisphere, with the In 1930, Frances went on her second the nations. purpose of developing mutual under- trip to South America, this time to standing, commerce, and peace between accompany the exhibitions of Nicolas And soon, on March 21, 1929, the them. Roerich’s paintings. Using her personal newspapers in New York declared wealth and connections, she built the that the vice president of the Roerich The members of the Pan-American road for the Roerich Pact. Thirty-nine of Museum, Frances Grant, “follow- Union were Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Roerich’s paintings were shown in many ing in President Hoover’s footsteps,” Venezuela, Haiti, Guatemala, Hondu- countries and cities of South America was going to visit a number of Latin ras, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, as a Pan-American traveling exhibition, American countries. Her purpose as Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, and everywhere Frances Grant delivered the representative of the museum in Panama, Paraguay, Peru, El Salvador, talks and lectures on Roerich, his ideas New York was “to help the Pan-Amer- the United States, Uruguay, Chile, and on the Pact and Banner of Peace, and on ican friendship” through establishing Ecuador. the vital importance of the preservation 8 Agni Yoga Quarterly / International

of culture. Everywhere, following the Grant prepared the acceptance of the toward their hemispheric neighbors, exhibitions and Frances Grant’s presen- Pact. There were several conferences on the principles of economic cooper- tations, Roerich associations and soci- and conventions for promoting the ation and nonintervention into their eties appeared, and all of them worked Pact. One of them (the Third Conven- inner affairs, on the idea of the com- with the center in New York. tion) gathered in November 1933 in mon interests of all countries of the Washington, D.C. Thirty-six countries Americas, and on bringing them closer At the beginning of the 1930s, the were represented, and the Director together. Roerich Pact acquired a new supporter, General of the Pan-American Union a political heavyweight. This was the declared it to be the most successful of On October 21, 1934, President Roo- then Secretary of Agriculture (later, all the Washington conventions ever. sevelt commanded Henry Wallace to vice-president in the Roosevelt admin- sign the Roerich Pact as the represen- istration) Henry Agard Wallace (1888– The Seventh Conference of the tative of the United States. As Wallace 1965). Due to his correspondence with Pan-American Union in Montevideo in said, the history of the Roerich Pact Roerich and his personal contacts with closely resembled that of the Frances Grant, Wallace became not Red Cross. It took sixteen only a supporter of the Pact but also a years of efforts to accept the follower of the Roerichs’ spiritual ideas. Red Cross. But, as Nicholas Wallace was unusually strong and per- Roerich wrote, whereas the sistent in “pushing” the Pact through Red Cross helps the physi- all the governmental structures where cally sick and wounded, the there was considerable mistrust and Roerich Pact helps to pre- opposition. Thanks to Wallace, finally serve the spiritual health of President Roosevelt himself not only nations by protecting trea- accepted but highly praised the idea of sures of the human genius. the Pact. It was not by accident that Under the influence of the ideas of the chose Roerich and the Pact, Henry Wallace, April 15, 1935, as the date of in 1934, wrote and published a very the signing of the Pact. The interesting book. It was titled New Day of the Pan-American Frontiers, had the Banner of Peace sym- Union was traditionally cel- bol on its title page, and spoke, among ebrated on April 14th, and other things, about the huge poten- the Roerich Pact at the time tial that America had for achieving a of its acceptance was, in fact, true civilization, stability, and peace. a regional pact. In parallel to Wallace wrote: “We can create our the “” new world, if it exists in ourselves…. in economy and diplomacy, This new world cannot be found on the Pact offered a social and any map. Its discoverers do not have December 1933 unanimously voted for cultural program based on the idea of to cross oceans. Some people see it as the acceptance of the Roerich Pact, and the personal and national dignity of the mind-set. To find this new world, invited representatives of the republics the Latin American states and on the pure hearts and persistency are needed. in the North, Central, and South Amer- principles of respect toward them from What we are approaching is not a new icas to sign the Pact. their more technically and economi- continent but a new state of heart and cally developed hemispheric neighbors. mind, the result of which will be the These efforts were part of the politics new measures of achievement. We have started by President Hoover in 1929. In Later, the Pact revealed its broader to discover, build, and put into action March 1933 the then President, Frank- meaning, inherently built into it by new, balanced social mechanisms.” lin D. Roosevelt, declared the “Good its creator but not immediately clear Neighbor Policy,” which was based on during the first stage of its realization. Working closely with Wallace, Frances a friendly attitude of the United States It is the panhuman idea of the necessity Agni Yoga Quarterly / International 9

of preserving culture always and every- the Roerich Museum and to the entire York by Frances Grant, a woman who where, unrelated to geography and cultural community connected with was dedicated to the interests of this political regimes, because only culture it. The first museum was lost as an Association; who for many years sup- and mutual respect make us human enterprise; there came a split among ported Latin American democrats; and not the enemy of mankind. the closest coworkers of the Roerichs. who helped those who found them- Roosevelt and Wallace cut all com- selves in exile; who did everything There is also something else that munications with the Roerichs. But possible to call the attention of the makes the Pact and Banner of Peace this is another story. American public to what was going different from all previous pacts, trea- on in the adjacent Southern conti- ties, and conventions. It is the Pact’s Until the very end of her long life, nent.” visual representation: a simple, ancient Frances Grant continued the work symbol, known to people of all reli- entrusted to her by Roerich. PAWA, The presence of Nicholas Roerich in gions and cultures; this symbol pen- her life had totally changed her con- etrates human hearts and minds bet- sciousness. Even shortly before her ter and deeper than any formulas. It “Due to his correspon- death, this 97-year-old woman still immediately creates a link to its verbal identified herself as vice president of expression which, too, is simple, easily dence with Roerich and the Roerich Museum and talked of understood, and deep. his personal contacts “Professor Roerich.” At her funeral service, at the Riverside funeral home, Returning to Frances Grant, it with Frances Grant, there were such prominent people as should be noted that, in fact, she had Wallace became not Arthur Schlesinger, Natalie Betan- become one of the first “citizen dip- only a supporter of court, and many, many others. They lomats,” an ambassador of culture all talked about the care and support who had no official diplomatic status. the Pact but also a given by Frances Grant to the fami- She achieved her success by using all follower of the Roerichs’ lies of political refugees and about her means available to her. She personally battle for the salvation of democratic knew many diplomats, industrialists, spiritual ideas.” movements in Latin America. financiers, and cultural leaders in the United States, Europe, and Latin Nothing passes without a trace. America. Her brother David held a started by her in 1930 as a part of the During the last decade, the movement high position in the Pan-American Roerich Museum, continued to be “Peace through Culture” has grown, Union. In addition to all this, much active until her death in 1993. It is and the ideas of the Roerich Pact and of her achievements in paving the because of Frances Grant’s untiring Banner of Peace have come back from road for the Pact were due to the help efforts that this organization did so decades of forgetfulness, especially in Frances received from women: wives, much for the elevation of women in the countries of South America. New sisters, mothers, daughters, and rel- politics, economics, and education in centers of Bandera de La Paz and new atives of the male “powers that be.” South American countries. groups and societies appear, and their Many people use their personal con- members work together and meet nections to succeed in this world, but In 1945 Frances Grant became at conferences in Brazil, Argentina, what makes Frances Grant different head of the Latin-American Com- Chile. In Mexico, the Banner of Peace from them is how she used her con- mittee of the International League was given to the mayors of practically nections. She never used them for her for the Rights of Man. In 1950 she all the cities. His Holiness the Dalai own success—only and exclusively was elected as Secretary General of Lama accepted the Banner as the sym- for the success of the Pact, for the the Inter-American Association for bol of The Year of Tibet, which was success of culture and enlightenment. Democracy and Freedom, which was declared by the United Nations some Frances was a practical idealist, which established in Havana, Cuba, in May years ago. The symbol of the Banner is a great rarity. 1950. Arthur Schlesinger, a noted of Peace is becoming more and more American historian and special con- recognizable and familiar, and people In 1935, after the Pact had been sultant to President Kennedy, wrote: who do not even know its history call signed, hard and sad times came to “This Association was run from New it “the symbol of peace.” 10 Agni Yoga Quarterly / International

Dear Friends, I have selected an article from the Roerich Museum archives, which was Thoughts on Agni Yoga written by Joseph J. Weed for your enjoyment. Joseph J. Weed was a trustee We invite our readers to send us their of the Nicholas Roerich Museum and a thoughts on a quote from director of the Agni Yoga Society. He was also an author of several books, the Agni Yoga Teachings which are available at Amazon.com, including The Wisdom of the Mystic Masters and Psychic Energy. It was believed that Joseph John OUR CHANGING WORLD crammed so much imaginative creation Weed was born in on April into such a relatively short time. Joseph J. Weed 11, 1901, yet other accounts of his birth Less obvious, but just as real, is an date say that he was born on March 15, Dec 2, 1976 increase in human sensitivity and a 1905. He died in March of 1987 at the growing awareness of each other. As age of 81. ne can understand how greatly the with any “breakthrough,” men usually choose to manifest the negative aspect His father is of English descent and ritual aspect of Yoga was demanded “O first. In this case, it appears as criticism his mother of Irish. He took post-grad- in ancient times, but now one should of everyone but oneself. As the actions of uate courses at Columbia University. ascend by way of direct communion with men become more visible, particularly He formed his own organization, the Highest World. The Yoga of Fire leads those men in positions of power and Weed and Company, as radio station one upon this shortest path without aban- trust, we find ourselves becoming con- representatives. Weed and Company doning life. This comprises a departure scious of the motives behind their acts. eventually grew to handle eighty-one in the new understanding of rapport of Discernment of motive is the lowest stations, becoming one of the top three the worlds.…”1 The Teacher here points rung up onto the spiritual ladder and we firms in the business of selling radio out that because of the development in would do well to step higher as quickly advertising. human consciousness, largely in recent years, ritual is no longer essential. Today as we can. This is best done by seeking Joseph J. Weed prepared talks for out and emphasizing the good urges many of the Agni Yoga Group meetings. even the average man can develop spir- itual awareness in the midst of daily life. behind the acts under our scrutiny and Until 1976, he participated actively in by giving them full and proper weight in the meetings in New York; and then A great expansion in human knowl- evaluating the act itself. In this manner after he moved to Florida, he sent talks edge and understanding is evident in we open our hearts and encourage the on the chosen topics by mail. The fol- all areas of experience. On the material fire of Agni Yoga to enter our lives. lowing article was a talk sent by him level alone, all departments of science “It must be understood that yester- to Sina Fosdick, president of the Agni have shown more advance in the last 200 day is completely different from tomor- Yoga Society, for the Agni Yoga Group years than in the full 5,000 years prior to row, so unheard of is the rotation.”2 The meeting of Dec. 2, 1976. 1800 A.D. We take our scientific mira- Teacher is here warning us that we must Thoughtfully, cles for granted and never question how now expect to encounter new and sur- it happened that after thousands of years Joleen of little or no progress we have recently Continued on page 11

Upcoming Events: Fall class begins on Wednesday, Septem- Agni Yoga Society International Headquarters: ber 7. Agni Yoga Society, Inc. Our 34th Anniversary will take place on Saturday, October 319 W 107th St. 8th at our Izvara Center, Prescott, Arizona. New York, NY 10025 For more details on these and other events, visit our website: www.wmea-world.org www.agniyoga.org Agni Yoga Quarterly / International 11

Community highest measure of simplicity. Cooperation comes into being when (continued from page 2) “Greeting to workers and seekers!”3 we are in contact with higher ener- gies. These energies impress us with welcome. Every prejudice, caused Cooperation occurs when people a higher rhythm and thus produce a by ignorance, is exposed. have the same vision, the same inner harmony based on the sensitiveness impulse to do something worthy and of cooperation. “Thou who dost toil, are not alive in great, to gather together their efforts thy consciousness the roots of coop- in a most balanced manner enabling a “Let people, from home and hearth eration and community? If this flame vision to be realized. With this issue up to the spacial preordinations, has already illumined thy brain, I believe we are doing just that— remember about the value of coop- adopt the signs of the Teaching of demonstrating the spirit of cooper- eration.”4 Our mountains. ation. Cooperation, in this case, is a group effort to bring forward the “And another absolute condition “Thou who dost labor, do not must be fulfilled. Labor must be vol- become wearied puzzling over cer- light of the sacrificial service of our Founders and Their disciples. untary. Cooperation must be volun- tain expressions. Every line is the tary. Community must be voluntary. Labor must not be enslaved by force. The condition of voluntary agree- Our Changing World this daily prayer, this daily plea to God, ment must be laid into the founda- (continued from page 10) “Let good befall the world!”4 Thus, in tion of advancement.”5 our effort to help the world, to help oth- prisingly different problems. For this ers, we may help ourselves. The next issue will be a special issue reason we should be more aware, more This is the best approach to the in memory of Helena Roerich, the diligently alert to even the smallest Highest World, the path of Service. It Mother of Agni Yoga, who passed signs. Unfortunately, “it is not custom- is not an easy road, for many obsta- October 5, 1955. ary to pay attention to the activity of the cles will tend to block the way. But in With love, heart. People are ready to doom them- all circumstances know that the Great selves to any unhappiness rather than Teacher is there to help. For He advises, think about its causes.”3 The new and “Cling more firmly to Me. Cling to Me powerful forces pouring onto and into at each moment, on all steps.”5 our planet are speeding up the develop- Joleen Dianne DuBois ment of men’s minds and opening doors President and founder of the WMEA of awareness which have been closed for 1 Heart, verse 206. ©1944, 1975 Agni Yoga Society, millennia. Inc. The third revised edition (2013): “You can We in turn must do our part. Everyone understand that the ritual aspect of Yoga was re- http://www.wmea-world.org who can help, should. In this way vast quired in ancient times, but now one should move forward by taking the path of direct communion changes for the better will take place. We with the Higher World. The Yoga of Fire leads the http://youtube.com/wmeaworld/videos are each sufficiently developed to make aspirant on this shortest path without abandon- a substantial contribution to the welfare ment of life.” http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/ 2 of the planet by helping to raise the con- Ibid. The third revised edition (2013): “You must tools/subscription.php?username=wmea33 understand that tomorrow is completely different sciousness of our fellow men. Just send from yesterday, for the rotation of events is with- them LIGHT. Don’t send your idea of out precedent.” http://www.wmea-world.org/blog what should be done. You may be more 3 Ibid., verse 207. The third revised edition (2013): wrong than they seem to be. Just send “But paying attention to the activity of the heart is 1 LIGHT. This will help them understand not generally accepted. People are ready to doom Leaves of Morya’s Garden, Book Two, Illumina- themselves to any misfortune rather than think tion, III:II:14. ©1952 Agni Yoga Society, Inc. themselves and the problems that con- about its causes.” 2Ibid., III:VI:1. front them. Send LIGHT to the rulers 4 Ibid., verse 300. The third revised edition (2013): 3 Preface to New Era Community. ©1951 Agni of states, of nations, to the heads of large “May good things come to the world!” Yoga Society, Inc. companies, even to political, social and 5 Ibid., verse 210. The third revised edition (2013): 4 Ibid., verse 4. “Hold on to Me more firmly. Hold on to Me at 5 Ibid., verse 9. economic organizations. Send out also every moment, at every step.” 12 Agni Yoga Quarterly / International

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